February 2025

Hi all!

It’s been quite some time since I did a blog post. As most of you know I moved to NYC in April 2024 for big positive changes. I have been exploring all over this city particularly in the warmer months. It is tough to walk around and explore as much in the winter months as we are finally having a bit of what we can actually call a winter!

I’ve been trying to be more active on my Instagram page (@foxystyleblog) to spark conversations among women who are suffering from endometriosis. There is so much misinformation out there and it doesn’t help that there is still not a lot of research and money going into this disease state. I was misinformed for decades until I met an endometriosis specialist, my surgeon Jordan Klebanoff. He changed the trajectory of this disease substantially for me. For years I myself, as a well educated provider, put off surgery due to surgical risks involved. I suffered with horrible debilitating pain as I believed for years—Pregnancy was the cure. What a myth! Mentally its hard to accept the thought of never being able to deliver your own children, as I discuss in my prior blog post, you go through a grieving period. I am not able to have children as I also had adenomyosis hence why I needed my second surgery-hysterectomy.

I would have had my endometriosis excision surgery a decade ago if I would have known the reward over the risk. I am now able to get back to running and strength train, harder than I ever have in my life. I have always been an athlete but endometriosis sure put a stop to it in my early 30’s. Being healthy and in shape are important to me. I am confident in myself, have learned to be more accepting of myself and mentally have made big strides. I think the most exciting thing for 2025 is I signed up for a HYROX RACE!. I never ever thought I could race or compete like this athletically again given that I have endometriosis.

I was also diagnosed with autoimmune disease and I am on treatment for that which is life changing for me. I am on a TNF blocker-Enbrel which has significantly improved my back/leg pain as well as my abdominal issues. I fully believe there is 100 percent a connection that endometriosis is an autoimmune condition on its own. Unfortunately it is not proven yet therefore there are no approved medications for these other systemic issues-such as back/leg pain, neuropathy, bladder issues, stomach issues, the list goes on. A lot of women get diagnosed with “IBS”, me included back in 8th grade. I discuss this in my first blog post of how this was also the year I got my period. “IBS” for me is endometriosis in my bowel. There are no treatments for this yet unfortunately however my TNF blocker has taken away most of my stomach issues as well.

In terms of my stomach issues I have on/off diarrhea/constipation/abdominal pain/intolerances to certain foods at random times. I have noticed these random times do surround the timing of my cycle. I have had 3 colonoscopies in my lifetime for these same complaints. I know full well this is due to endometriosis in my bowel. Of course I wanted to be certain nothing else changed. My most recent colonoscopy, later in 2024, was 100 percent normal. I went to an IBD specialist, one of the best in NYC, and he biopsied for everything. I knew this would be the case, which was relieving, but again there is no approved treatment for these endometriosis bowel symptoms. Endometriosis cannot be visualized during a colonoscopy as it is too deep into the tissues. Shortly after this, I did start on my TNR blocker and within two weeks my abdominal symptoms have mostly resolved. I get intermittent constipation now but overall I am much better.

I tell this story as I want women to advocate for themselves, if the colonoscopy is normal yet you continue to have abdominal issues, you may have endometriosis in your bowel. Find yourself an endometriosis specialist/surgeon. Weigh the reward over risk for yourself.

I still have days where my back and neck hurt along with neuropathic pains at times. I have intermittent bladder symptoms. I notice these symptoms are worse during my “cycle”. Overall though I have been feeling pretty great and I am so blessed. I am training for the HYROX RACE which is on May 31. I would like to dedicate this race to all women suffering from endometriosis. For those women who are stuck trying to find someone who will listen and care for your health I encourage you to keep going, advocate for yourselves. I hope that my story shows some glimmer of hope that you can feel better and you can live a positive life.

If you are in NYC, May 31st, at Chelsea Pier 76, come out to support me and the fight against endometriosis.

I will be back in a few weeks!